Object Description
An ancient Egyptian jasper scarab amulet of rich brown colour. A rare naturalistic detailed representation of Scarabaeus with prominent eyes, ribbed plates and clypeus ornamented by accentuated feelers. The shell consists of plain clear surfaces of thorax and elytra. The belly is decorated with modelled relief legs and a hoop in the middle section for attachment.
Such amulets were used in a funerary context. Egyptians regarded the scarab as an embodiment of the creator god, who was self-engendered, based on the belief that scarab (dung) beetles were self-creating. Scarabs are the most popular and most numerous of all Egyptian artefacts. Except for special funerary and royal commemorative scarabs, on average they are small-sized like this piece. The vast majority of scarabs are amulets providing protection and attracting good luck for the living.
Date: Circa 1200-500 BC